Sharing the love for simple home baking
Welcome to Rise and Shine
My name is Agnieszka and I offer bespoke baking classes for all levels, from the complete beginner to those looking for more baking inspiration.
I love to bake, and I love to share that passion with others. It all started for me back in 2002 soon after I opened my own playgroup in North West London and was encouraged by one mum to start baking classes. The classes were hugely popular with both children and parents and over time I have developed a repertoire of simple, delicious recipes.
I now run classes in the community and focus on the wellbeing benefits of baking and the shared process of baking together.
If you would like to join a class, please get in touch hello@riseandshinebaking.co.uk
Wellbeing
To me, baking has always been about bringing people together, be it family, friends or someone you just met at one of my classes. I noticed early on in my career that both adults and children would leave my classes smiling, feeling lighter and happier. It is a pleasure to watch my bakers, regardless of their age, being completely in the moment.
Baking and cooking have helped me through difficult times in my life, giving me an outlet for stress and worry and the time and space to think and contemplate. The therapeutic value of baking has been well researched in recent years and it is now well accepted that focusing on such a task can help alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. In other words, baking is really all about wellbeing.
About me
I have been cooking and baking since I was a little girl. Family life revolved around the kitchen and I have been interested in how my food was made ever since I can remember.
I have my mum to thank for fostering my love of cooking and baking from a young age. Her patience and understanding of how important it was for me to be involved in something that I enjoyed so much are two of the most precious gifts she gave me.
Those gifts paid off years later when I moved to the UK and decided to give teaching baking a go. 19 years, one global pandemic and one online cookie shop later I continue teachng in North West London and love every minute of it.
What we bake
I teach sweet and savoury recipes which I have tried, tested and simplified over the past 19 years. They are all very easy to follow and can be repeated in your own kitchen using widely available, affordable ingredients. I am very keen on using local, seasonal produce when possible. Supporting local businesses as well as caring about the environment have always been close to my heart and are becoming increasingly important to us all.
No sophisticated, expensive baking equipment is necessary; a mixing bowl, a spoon, a set of kitchen scales and a baking tray are usually enough!
Some of the recipes I teach include: chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, scones, yummy jammies, coconut crunchies, cheese straws, pizza, sweet potato muffins, gluten-free chocolate cake, and vegan biscuits. I constantly try out new recipes with my classes and enjoy the constructive feedback from my bakers!
Sharing the love for simple home baking
Classes
I aim to create a warm and intimate atmosphere in my classes, where everyone feels welcome and encouraged to give everything a try. No previous baking experience is required; novices are welcome as well as those looking to expand their baking repertoire.
Please let me know if you have any food allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements. Many allergens can be avoided or substituted and my priority is to give you the best and safest experience.
I teach one-to-one or in small groups, in clients’ houses in London and in local community venues and cafes. For more details, please see below.
Online Bake Shop
Welcome to Rise and Shine online shop in Cricklewood in North West London. I sell delicious homemade cookies which I hope you will love. All of my cookies are handmade using natural wholesome ingredients such as organic flour, free-range eggs, butter, great quality organic 32%-70% cocoa solids chocolate, palm oil free peanut butter. No junk or cutting corners. The cookies are baked and either delivered or posted super fresh on the same day.
There are several types of biscuits on the menu as that’s something I have sort of mastered over the past 19 years. I must have baked thousands of them when I had my own playgroup and ran regular weekly baking classes for young families. With time I hope to add more products but for now ladies and gentlemen I give you my most delicious biscuits to go with your cuppa. Visit my Online Bake Shop.
I deliver twice a week to Cricklewood, Willesden Green, Kilburn, West Hampstead, South Hampstead, Childs Hill, Golders Green, Hampstead, Belsize Park, St John`s Wood and Swiss Cottage. This covers the following postcodes: NW2, NW3, NW6, NW8, NW10 and NW11.
If you live outside these postcodes and would like to have the cookies posted to you, then a postal option is available too. Simply choose Royal Mail delivery at the checkout and have them posted to anywhere in the UK.
A couple of years ago I compiled a book of the most popular recipes enjoyed by my young bakers and their parents over the years. The recipes are quick and easy to follow and designed to suit a toddler’s attention span as well as the busy lives that most families lead. ‘Rise and Shine: Baking with your Little Ones’ is all about sharing with others my love for simple home baking.
My ambition is to publish the book independently in the near future so stay tuned for updates.
For recipes and news on what I’m mixing up, visit my baking blog from London below and follow Rise and Shine on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
